State rewards Bellmore-Merrick schools

Eight Bellmore and Merrick schools were commended for academic excellence recently, receiving Reward School status from the New York State Department of Education, district officials said.

Arnold Goldstein, superintendent of the North Bellmore School District, said that the department identified 250 elementary, middle and high schools in 164 districts throughout the state as Reward Schools, which had the highest levels of achievement in the state.

The Bellmore-Merrick schools that received the recognition were Martin Avenue, Newbridge Road and Park Avenue in the North Bellmore Elementary District; Camp Avenue, Old Mill Road and Harold D. Fayette in the North Merrick Elementary District; and Sanford H. Calhoun High School in Merrick and John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, both of which are part of the Central High School District.

Goldstein said he was pleased that North Bellmore was one of only five districts in the state outside New York City in which three or more elementary schools were singled out for recognition. North Bellmore, North Merrick and one other district in Nassau County had the most elementary schools on the reward list.

“This is really a very noteworthy accomplishment,” Goldstein said. “Our students have performed exceedingly well. We’re very committed to making sure that no matter how well they do, they’ll continue to do better.”

David Feller, superintendent of the North Merrick School District, also expressed delight that all three schools in his district received Reward School status. “It’s a reflection of our district continuing to stress a well-rounded education that does more than prepare students for tests, but fosters students with a lifelong love for learning,” Feller said.

He added that there are about 2,500 elementary schools in New York, and just 101 were identified as high-performing. “We take great pride in attaining this unique achievement, and feel that the entire community should share in this accomplishment,” Feller said.

Sid Tanenbaum, who lived in Woodmere and owned a metal-stamping shop in Far Rockaway, where he was known more for his charitable ways than his two-handed set shot, has been honored for the past 30 years with a basketball tournament that raises scholarship money for students in the Five Towns.